River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1887-04-14


ell Of Dore, as it drew the weird fantasies
which illustrate the Contes Drolatiques of
Balzac
The aspect of the watery way from the
bridge became so sinister that l returned
TO reconnoitre the house once more from
the street. To this impulse / owe, in all
probability. the rescue of Mary, the preser-
walton of what was dearer to me than life
itself.
The street was very silent and deserted,
though 1t was yet quite early. A few peo-
pie passed me, their sabots making an in
ordinate chatter on the rough stones; but
when paused close to the house there was
no one in sight. looked up. The light was
still III the topmost window; the window
was again open. l determined to make
an attempt at least to settle my doubts
as to the identity of the occupant of that
room.
Hooked up to the window, and called
softly and clearly:
MARY"
There was no response.
Again lcalled, with little more empha-
sis:
"Maryln
TWAS not fancy. No. At my second
call a figure came rapidly to the window,
but ere could either hear or utter any
thing a sharp whisper from the adjacent
doorway broke the stiffness
"Hist Monsieur Plowitzp'
1t was the old woman.
"Who is that" l asked.
cit is Marie Delbruyck."
do you know who l amf' 1 asked, APP
preaching the door.
The old woman grinned and courtesied.
81 have been expecting Monsieur Plowitz,
she said.
She evidently took me for the man she
had been told to expect. Tumultuous as
my thoughts were, could see no reason
for suspecting plant so skilfully execu-
ted, under circumstances which were pure
Ixr Hoo had rar1ffh
of fighting the Basilisk into my hands, and
Iresolved to make the most of it.
''Where is the lady ~ l asked.
(which lady, monsieurl" she asked with
q horrible grin.
''The tall lady"
"Mademoiselle Beaufoyl"
ayes; MademOiselle Beaufoy.n
"Has not monsieur seen herr"
"No; must see herr
''She said she must see monsieur, but she
has Left message tor monsieur in case she
missed him"
''And the other lady-is she safeln
"Quite safe. She is in the top room,
locked in"
''Good" said l.
1t was awful to think of Mary imprisoned
in the power of such wretches. We had
moved out of the street, and were standing
just inside the little entrance court. As we
talked l could hear the rough murmuring
tones of a mans voice, and the shriler in
the house.
Snow, Marie, y went on, ''you must give
me the message quickly, for / must lind
mademoiselle at once"
The old bag came closer to me, and laid
finger on my arm, giving a sort of a dig
now and then to impress the points of her
message upon me.
"All wilt be ready at ten O'Clock. You
must meet mademoiselle here at ten. The
lady will be put into the boat 1t is my
- hTNa hnn
him talking-and he viii take monsieur and
the lady down tho river, and put them on
board the ship"
"But," said l, almost gasping for breath,
show if the lady will not comeP
'Ah, monsieur" said Madame Delbruyck
with a diabolical leer' ''she will not know
anything about it!'
"How!"
"She might make disturbance; but we
use''-here she made a significant gesture
and grinned ghoulishly.
"And thensn
"And then monsieur and my son Georges
will carry her down and put her in the
boat. 1t is close by, on the canal. Through
that door and through the wOodsLed-that
is the canal"
was so Mortified by the disclosure of this
diaholical scheme that, after a moments
silence, judged it prudent to assume an
air of suspicion.
every well, - said. "But GeorgeS-is he
to he trustedP'
ooh, monsieur" said Mdme. Delbruyck,
lifting her hands IN depreciation, ''we are
honest folks here, and Mdlle. Beaufoy has
paid us handsomely"
"Well, you shall be paid still more hand
somely when the young lady is safe"
"Have no fear, monsieur
'No; bIt l am anxious; and should
like to see Mdlle. Beaufoy again. She VIII
be here at tenl"
"Certainly, monsieur-at ten"
II old Fnfn aF r11Hv
which she received, TO my surprise, with
some show of reluctance, as though, in her
way, she had some idea of fair dealing,
and, having made a bargain, was prepared
TO abide by the terms she had proposed or
accepted: and, with profuse thanks, she
ushered me at once into the street.
A brisk walk of ten or twelve minutes en-
ahled me to recover frop the astounding
revelation or vlllalny or which 1 had so
strangely become possessed. l found my
self once more in a cheerful, well-ighted
street. / entered quiet but inviting res
taurant, and dined frugaiiy. Then, with
the aid of cigar, Reviewed the situation
The revelation of the plot by Mdme. Del
bruyck ceased to be so very surprising
when thought the matter over. The main
outlines of the scheme had probably been
arranged by Plowitz and Miss Beaufoy to
gether. His arrest was evidently not known
TO the Basilisk at the time Of her visit TO her
evil ally, and that lady had, equally evi
IDENTIFY, her mind being full of the expected
visit of Plowitz, whom size did not know,
assumed that the stI anger who was lOiter
ing about the street. and calling her
name, was none other than the foreign
gentleman TO whom Miss Beaufoy Lad Civ
en- a rendezvous at Mdme. Delbruyck' 5
house. Now for the future. The simplest
plan promised to be the best. | would re
turn, summon the old woman, inform her
that the plan of operations was changed,
gain access TO Mary, and carry her on to
the shelter of the Hotel st. Antonine, before
the time fixed for the Basilisk's return. II
was now eight o'clock. l would return IN
half an hour so as to allow a plausible
time for the change of plans TO have elapsed
and maintaining the role OF PlowitZ, have
Mary in safety by the time the next hour
was struck by the innumerable clocks OF
the city.
The time for action soon arrived.
/ set out, and the chimes were sounding
the half-hOur, ] again entered the street |
where Mary was kept prisoner. As 1 APP
preached the door it flashed upon me that
the Basilisk might meanwhile have learnt |
OF the arrest of PlOwitz, and coming TO ar |
range some modification of her scheme, /
been informed of my visit. IL struck /
chill 70 my heart to think what she might |
be capable of in her rage and dlsappoln-- /
ment. But, in any case, there was no time /
to lose / went into the dark courtyard, |
the brick steps, and knocked at /
the door. The voices which were talking /
inside ceased; heard the chatter Of sabots /
over the brick floor, and Mdme. Deibruycks I
hideous visage appeared. She started on /
seeing me.
Here, Marie" I said, 81 want to speak
70 your
Certainly, certainly, monsieur;" and /
she came quickly out, and closed the door
behind her.
Listen said L Something has hap
pensd which makes our plan Impossible.
The young lady must come away az once"
The old woman looked surprised.
But howli she asked.